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20 February 2013

What's Your 3-in-1?

What's Your 3-in-1?

I love clothes. Not a surprise, is it? I think it might be genetic, though, so not entirely my weakness. My grandma, Mary Deane, always claimed the title of Clothes Horse, and she was also known as one of the most classy women around. My sister and I used to clean her modest 2 story house every other week to earn a little bit of extra cash. Of course, it was merely going through the act of cleaning, because she was possibly the most tidy person I've ever known. The only time it really needed cleaning was when she had guests.

I didn't mind cleaning her house. I would open up the closet in her bedroom and she had racks hanging on both sides of the door, filled with shoes. A rainbow of shoes. (Every woman's dream?) It wasn't a huge closet, not even a walk-in, but what she owned was always quality. I wish I would have learned that concept sooner, I'm still trying to live it, but my grandma was a teacher by example.

Ryan and I try to live by the same principle: Buy fewer, but higher quality. Can I blame my grandma for liking nice things, too? I inherited some of her clothes when she passed away, but I am hoping even more that I've gleaned a bit of her classiness and panache.

Living in a household with so many people obviously poses many difficulties. Space being in the forefront. There never seems to be enough, and while moving into a bigger house will give us more, it's also so easy to just fill it up with stuff. Stuff that we just don't need. We try to live by the rule: one in, one out. So, having a few pieces in your wardrobe that you really love instead of a whole closet full of pieces you just kind of like makes it a much more sensible (and enjoyable!) mantra.

The above black velvet blazer is one of my staples. I've had it...I honestly don't remember when I bought it, but I am worried about the day approaching when it will no longer be wearable. It goes with everything. I can wear it casual, dressed up, everywhere in between and it seamlessly acquiesces to it all. I grab it when I travel, when Ryan takes me out on a date, and when I need to run to the kids' school, but it only takes up one hanger!

Now I pop in a whole new kind of clean with Tide Pods, the only 3-chamber unit dose on the market. Tide Pods (have you tried them yet?) are the black velvet blazer of the cleaning world. The first time we used them, Ryan commented how clean and fresh the scent was (coming from a highly sensitive nose, mind you!) and we both noticed that they work well. That 3-in-1 pod gives you the cleaning, the brightening, and the stain-fighting action but just takes up the space of one cleaner on your shelf. Just one removes more stains than 6 caps of the liquid bargain brand. (Based on stain removal performance of one pac of Tide Pods vs. 6 doses of the leading liquid bargain brand base variant in a standard top loading machine.) Keep them up high, because they're tempting for little hands, but you will find yourself grateful to just have to grab one little pouch, throw it in the wash and walk away to enjoy more time with those little ones.

Tell me about something in your wardrobe that's versatile and provides 3-in-1 style. By leaving a comment, you'll be entered for the chance to win a Visa gift card for $100. Pop In. Stand Out.

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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 2/19/13 – 3/19/13. Be sure to visit the Tide Pods brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

ps those are Ryan's glasses, borrowed for this post, but I think they're rather becoming on me, no?

121 comments:

The problem with the Tide pods is that they all melt together before I even get them home from the store and then when I try to break them apart to drop one in the wash, the liquid squirts all over and the bag that contains all the pods is a mess. Not a fan! Same with the Cascade pods, etc.

My absolute favorite thing in my closet is my Steve Madden Troopa boots. My family calls them my 'Laura Ingalls' boots, because they remind us all of her wonderful boots. I can wear them with skinny jeans as a modern look, I can wear them with a dress as a more dressy look, and I can also wear them with leggings and long tees as for a casual/sporty look. They were the best thing I have bought this year by far. :)

My 3in1 wardrobe must have are my dark brown suede fleece lined flat soled boots. Maybe they don't really "go" with everything but I sort of make them part of so many outfits. There's a lot of good to be said about any part of your wardrobe that is warm, comfortable and neutral.

Gray skinny jeans - they go with so many tops! I add flats for a dressed down look or heels and a blazer to make them more work appropriate! Ps love tide pods, I just used them today to wash 3 loads -Jen

Man, I wish I had a garment like that... besides my jeans (which I really like, though). I wear a lot of cotton-knit camisoles, does that count? I can make variations on an outfit by changing the color of the cami underneath... kinda weak. I'd love to win the giveaway so that I could get myself a 3-in-one piece! :)~Natalie

I have a pretty geometric wrap cardigan in cream and black that I can wear with a turtleneck, jeans and boots for a trip to the grocery store or the post office. When I'm going out with my hubby i add a black silk blouse, gold chunky long chains and some slim wool pants and, presto, cute dinner out ensemble. For a party, I'm always cold, I pair it with a pretty black dress and a cashmere scarf, some opaque tights and heels, high ones, and I'm off.

I have these linen pants that have a yoga band waist but a nice full leg that ellevates them to slacks status if I iron them- business to girls night out to lounging around the house- all comfy and wash and wear. (althought I admit they are so good that I have them is black, grey, and white so technically three hangers...).

I have a navy blue knit, loose cardigan that is always sort of a 3 in one for me, I wear it over yoga pants and a t-shirt (it came from the lounge wear section of Anthropologie) but then it also looks great with jeans and a cute top, or can be dressier - I like having something cover my arms since I am perpetually cold!

I have a couple go to pieces in my wardrobe: my chambray button up shirt goes with absolutely EVERYTHING; black ankle pants (think Audrey Hepburn); and my cowboy boots. They even all work together too! :)

I have blouses by this designer who makes the most feminine clothing I can find - April Cornell. I always have to buy her stuff online right from her website because it is difficult to find it any other way. So I have these blouses which I wear with a lot of my things like silk shells because they allow me to highlight whatever colors I'm wearing that day. They have ruffles and lace and details difficult to find elsewhere. They are 100% cotton. They are fabulous. They make me feel pretty and feminine and special. There's the trifecta!

My off white t shirt with just enough detail at the neck and chest to be my go to shirt. It can stand alone, or very easily be layered. It can be cute and casual for the everyday, spiffed for a date or dressed up for church.

patterned, belted dress. I wear it with heels and big jewelry to go out, leggings and flats during the week and skinny jeans for colder weather. I'm also scared of the day it will be unwearable...I hope it never comes!

I have a black chiffon skirt that I absolutely love this year - it's gone to holiday parties and the grocery store. I bought it 8+ years ago, but never wore it. I wish I knew then how truly versatile it is!

I feel like a hipster saying this (I'm totally not), but my striped t-shirts are probably the most versatile thing in my closet. I wear them to work, to church, to play, with trousers, skirts, and jeans.

My cardigan sweaters are the most versatile pieces in my wardrobe, I can wear them alone , as a light coat, with pencil skirts, jeans, pants or dresses all year round. Perfect to dress up and down for all occasions. tcarolinep at gmail dot com

My 3-in-1 used to be 2 cashmere cardigans that I found in a Target in Provo, UT one fall. There were the absolute best sweaters -- lightweight, great for almost year round wear here in the Bay Area; 3/4 sleeves, perfect when you're petite!; not too fitted so they fit over just about anything; and full button front so you could button it half-way up or just the top two for a looser fit. They lasted for years and never pilled and were my go-to for dressing up or down until the elbows finally gave way and sprouted holes. I so miss them and have yet to find something to replace them.....

Well, being that I am pregnant, right now my versatile pieces are my maternity jeans, and my big chunky knit sweater I got from The Gap a few years ago. I wear it belted, open, as a cardigan.... It is comfortable and easy and I love it!shannonleighn(at)gmail(dot)com

I have to go with my jeans! Since I am pregnant and going in for my c-section next Thursday, the choices are getting very limited. I can wear them with loafers and a long sleeve t-shirt or dress them up with flats and a fitted sweater. Adding a necklace or scarf gives my outfit a different look as well. sonyadmorris@gmail.com

I love your outfits. All styles look wonderful. In my wardrobe that's versatile and provides 3-in-1 style is my favorite little black dress. I match it with a nice scarf for evening look, a floral jacket for day and a casual cardigan for everyday wear.

My favorite pieces are my orange skinny jeans--so much more versatile than I thought--and cardigans or button-down sweaters. I can layer them (or not), button them (or not), and they're nursing-friendly. :)

My most versatile thing is a beautiful white dress. I can wear it with heels and tights on fancy events, with sandals and light scarfs for a stroll in the park or leggins and a blazer when its cold out. Ive had that dress for at least 5 years now ;)

Love my boot cut matte black yoga pants - so comfortable and versatile! Sparkly top, heels and jewelry and I can go out to dinner; tee shirt and flats and I'm casual; blazer, shirt and boots and I can go anywhere !adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

Versatility, I must say, in a mother's wardrobe is key. Especially when you have to consider what color food or drool or mud it will go with. :) My favorite pair of jeans do just that, and still keep me feeling stylish and put-together. Thanks for the giveaway! :)

Hmmm, my favorite go to clothing item that I feel is pretty versatile are my jersey skirts. They are comfortable with a t shirt and flip flops for lounging around the house, or with flats and a nicer shirt for church, or with flashy sandals and a pretty top and scarf for date night with the hubby. Plus they are friendly to my postpartum figure. :)